Effects of Virtual Reality-Assisted Dual Task Training on Muscle Oxygenation in Patients With COPD

Virtual reality-based training will be conducted at ISÜFİZYOTEM in a custom-designed augmented VR environment. A 3D avatar and interactive scene (a 1 km crowded street) will be developed using Blender and Adobe Mixamo, with audio components from the Unity Asset Store. Participants will follow the avatar and perform exercises via a VR headset. After 1 minute of self-paced walking, a three-stage Stroop test will be introduced as a dual-task challenge. Sessions will be 20 minutes, supervised by a physiotherapist, with optional breaks. The intervention will be performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks.

A pulmonary rehabilitation program will be administered to individuals with COPD once daily, three days per week for six weeks. The program will include diaphragmatic, chest, and bilateral segmental breathing exercises, breathing control training, relaxation positioning, peripheral muscle strengthening, and airway clearance techniques. Exercises will be explained and prescribed as a home-based program, to be performed twice daily with 10 repetitions. Patients will be given a daily log sheet to record adherence, which will be regularly monitored.